Cleveland Museum of Art

Thighbone Trumpet

Date

c. 1800

Medium

bone, leather, and copper alloy

Culture

Tibet

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Blown during tantric Buddhist rituals, this ritual instrument is made of bone to remind practitioners of the impermanence of the corporeal body. The horn is sounded to clear away obstacles to enlightenment, conceived as enemies in battle. Tantric ritual trumpets are traditionally made from human femurs, but now they can be made from plastic, metal, or other materials.

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